Sahel States Alliance harmonizes travel documents to facilitate free movement

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has announced plans to harmonize travel and identity documents to facilitate free movement for their citizens and goods across their shared borders. This initiative marks a significant step toward deeper regional integration among the three nations.

Security ministers from the AES countries convened in Bamako last week to advance discussions on this proposal, according to a joint statement shared on November 25 via social media.
“The meeting focused on finalizing harmonized technical specifications for travel and identity documents, including passports and national ID cards, to promote the free movement of people and goods in the AES region”, the statement detailed. It also highlighted that this initiative builds on earlier deliberations held by experts in Bamako on October 2–3.

The ministers emphasized the importance of concrete measures to enhance mobility within the AES framework. “The harmonized travel and identity documents will be submitted to the Heads of State for final approval”, the statement added.

This initiative comes in the context of the three countries’ decision to exit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2023. The withdrawal was a response to ECOWAS sanctions imposed after political transitions in the member states. In place of ECOWAS membership, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso established the Confederation of Sahel States on July 6, 2024, during the alliance’s inaugural Summit in Niamey.

The harmonization of travel documents is expected to strengthen economic and social ties within the AES while reducing barriers to regional trade and cooperation. This step also reflects the alliance’s broader commitment to achieving greater self-reliance and regional solidarity amid geopolitical challenges.